This would have been mounted on the last pattern pickelhaube as worn in WW1. The original pickelhaube was introduced into the Prussian army in 1848 and was successively modified right through 1914 and beyond, the height of the helmet being repeatedly reduced.

This plate is the penultimate pattern, the very last one being in grey painted pressed tin. This pattern was introduced in about 1896, with the last pattern pickelhaube which went on to serve throughout WW1 in grey metal, brass and also in an ersatz format with a stiffened felt shell. There was also a shell in pressed steel which normally had brass or gilding metal mounts.

It is in nice condition and would appear to be made of pressed brass. There is one small repair to one of the rear lugs, which has been resoldered with a replacement.

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